Gracie Decides Not to Appeal Suspension

Sherdog.com is reporting that Royce Gracie will not appeal his suspension he received from the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for a banned anabolic agent.

“I did not appeal the decision because I have been in Spain for the last 1 1/2 (months) on vacation with my family, and for me to appeal, I would have to get a lawyer, and then get some experts to run tests and then get more experts to argue with their experts—or I can just pay $2,500 fine, and sit out for one year,” Gracie said via e-mail Monday. “Well, I fight once a year anyway and it’s much cheaper to pay $2,500 in fine then $10,000 retainer to attorney’s alone. As for my fans, those who believe me, believe me anyway, and those who don’t, does not matter what I do, or what I say, they will not believe anyway.”

Gracie had until July 13th to appeal the suspension but according to the report, the CSAC still had not received a formal appeal “and as a result the $2,500 fine and one-year suspension, which expires May 30, 2008, are final.”